Token boards are everywhere in autism classrooms - but how many of them are actually working? In this episode, we're getting into what makes a token economy effective vs. what makes it just another laminated thing on the wall. We cover the three things that need to be in place before a token system will work, the most common mistakes teachers make, and how to build systems that are actually matched to the individual student.

Cooper, Heron & Heward (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.

Hackenberg, T.D. (2009). Token reinforcement: A review and analysis. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.

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Prompting is one of the most powerful tools we have - and one of the easiest to misuse. In this episode, we're talking about prompt dependency: what it is, how well-meaning teachers accidentally create it, and what to do instead. If you've ever had a student who shuts down the second you step back, this one is for you. We break down prompting hierarchies and what the research says about building real independence.

Engelmann & Carnine (1982). Theory of instruction. ADI Press.

Browder et al. (2009). Aligning instruction with academic content standards. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities.

Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.

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Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

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We spend hours building visual systems for our students and almost no time building them for ourselves. In this episode, we're talking about the irony of being the most scheduled, structured classroom in the building - and having zero systems for how we actually run our own day. From cognitive load to para fidelity, there's real research behind why teacher organization isn't just a nice-to-have. It directly impacts how your classroom runs.

Simonsen et al. (2008). Evidence-based practices in classroom management. Education and Treatment of Children.

Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving. Cognitive Science.

Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.

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Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

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DTT is one of the most well-researched strategies in our toolkit - and we might be leaning on it too hard. In this episode, we're making the case that over-relying on discrete trial teaching can actually work against our students when it comes to using skills in the real world. We dig into what the research says about naturalistic instruction, when DTT is absolutely the right call, and how to audit your own practice to make sure you're using the right tool for the job.

Stokes & Baer (1977). An implicit technology of generalization. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Schreibman et al. (2015). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Come join the conversation! Find us on Instagram at @theautismhelper and TikTok at @theautismhelper - drop your hot take in the comments and let us know where you land on this one.

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Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Quintara Tucker, BCBA to discuss the importance of cultural responsiveness in autism and special education. We explore how culture shapes perspectives on diagnosis and intervention, common ways professionals may unintentionally miss the mark, and how bias can show up in assessments, communication, and expectations. Quintara also shares practical strategies for building trust with families from diverse backgrounds and becoming more culturally responsive in everyday practice.

Quintara Tucker is a BCBA, consultant, speaker, and CEO of QB Consulting, LLC, specializing in autism and staff training, with a strong focus on culturally responsive practices that support diverse communities.

Episode Transcription.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/

Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
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In this episode, I’m joined by bilingual speech-language pathologist Michelle Diaz to discuss supporting autistic children in bilingual environments. We break down what the research really says about bilingualism and autism, how to address common parent concerns about language use, and what culturally responsive care looks like in practice. Michelle also shares practical strategies for supporting bilingual learners who use AAC, embedding communication into preschool routines, and what teams can do to better support these students. This episode is full of actionable insights for educators, therapists, and families alike.

About Michelle Diaz: Michelle Diaz is a bilingual speech-language pathologist based in the Chicago area who is passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and providing culturally responsive care across school and medical settings.

https://michellediazslp.com/home

Episode Transcription.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/

Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
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In this episode, Laura Hayes, SLP, and I discuss the evolving understanding of AAC and what it really means to support AAC users in meaningful, communication-centered ways. We talk about common myths surrounding AAC, the role of stimming in communication, and how educators and therapists can create environments where AAC users feel safe to regulate, stim, and communicate authentically. Laura shares practical insights on recognizing communication attempts, honoring neurodivergent communication styles, and building truly supportive communication environments.

Laura Hayes is a speech-language pathologist with over 17 years of experience supporting augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users in school and medical settings. She can be followed for more resources and ideas on implementation and support for AAC on Instagram @aac_innovations and her website: https://sites.google.com/view/aacinnovations/home

www.tinyurl.com/aacinnovations

https://www.instagram.com/aac_innovations/

https://products.brookespublishing.com/Comprehensive-Literacy-for-All-P1165.aspx

https://literacyforallinstruction.ca

https://comprehensiveliteracy.com/

https://www.buildingwings.com

Episode Transcription.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/

Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
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In this episode of The Autism Helper Podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Devitt, owner of Sport Social, to explore how sports, movement, and the arts can be powerful teaching tools. Andrew shares what these approaches offer learners beyond traditional table-based instruction, how movement and creativity support social communication and regulation, and what intentional teaching looks like in play-based settings. We also dig into generalization - why skills taught through sports and arts are more likely to transfer to real life - and wrap up with practical ways teachers can apply these principles in any classroom, even without specialized equipment, starting with a simple mindset shift around play and learning.

Andrew Devitt is the founder of Sport Social, a non-traditional ABA organization in Las Vegas that uses sports, art, and music - grounded in the science of applied behavior analysis - to help individuals with autism build happiness, connection, and friendship in active, genuinely fun environments.

https://www.lvsportsocial.com/

instagram @lvsportsocial

Episode transcription.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/

Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
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In this episode of The Autism Helper Podcast, we take a closer look at one of the most commonly used behavior strategies in classrooms and therapy spaces: redirection. While redirection is often well-intentioned and easy to default to, it can become a problem when it’s used as the primary response to challenging behavior without addressing the why behind it.

We unpack what redirection actually does (and doesn’t do), how it can unintentionally reinforce behavior or create dependence on adults, and why managing behavior in the moment isn’t the same as teaching long-term skills. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of when redirection makes sense, when it doesn’t, and what to do instead - so behavior support shifts from constant interruption to meaningful instruction.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

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Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

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In this episode of The Autism Helper Podcast, we’re joined by Melissa Ziegler, a kindergarten self-contained autism teacher, to talk about what individual instruction really looks like in practice. Melissa shares which skills most often require 1:1 teaching, how she fits individual instruction into a busy school day, and the systems and routines that help protect that time without everything else falling apart. She also discusses how to keep students engaged, choose meaningful instructional targets, and balance planning with responsiveness. This episode offers realistic encouragement - and actionable ideas - for teachers who want individual instruction to feel doable and effective in real classrooms.

Follow Melissa at:

Instagram @melissas_pre_k

Episode transcription.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/

Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
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* Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com


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In this episode of The Autism Helper Podcast, we talk with Dr. Destiny Huff about what it really means to create neuroaffirming IEPs. We explore the gap between compliance and true support, how IEP practices can impact student mental health, and the red flags educators should watch for in IEP language. Dr. Huff shares how goals and present levels can better honor student identity and autonomy, along with practical ways to make IEP meetings feel safer and more collaborative for families.

Dr. Destiny Huff is a late-diagnosed Black Autistic ADHD mental health therapist, non-attorney special education advocate, and parent of neurodivergent children who centers neuroaffirming, anti-ableist advocacy focused on safety, consent, and meaningful support over compliance.

Learn more from Dr. Huff: https://www.destinyhuffconsulting.com/

Episode transcription.

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Interested in our Year-Long Curriculum Access Subscription? Learn more about it here: https://theautismhelper.com/tah-curriculum-access/

Join the waitlist for our Professional Development Membership: https://shop.theautismhelper.com/pages/membership-waitlist

Want more information about The Autism Helper Courses? Visit: https://theautismhelper.com/courses/

Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper Store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

Or visit The Autism Helper store on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Autism-Helper

Stay up to date on all things Autism Helper by downloading our new, FREE app! Available on both the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-autism-helper/id1557724340 & Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.theautismhelper&hl=en_US&gl=US

Get all updates from The Autism Helper Podcast by clicking subscribe above. Head over to theautismhelper.com for more info. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @theautismhelper.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ohio State University: https://go.osu.edu/AutismHelper
* Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/SASHA for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com


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